OKIMONO: RY跩IN WITH DRAGON.

Japan. Meiji period (1868-1912). Coral extremely finely carved and engraved. Pedestal made of ivory. The Dragon King; ruler of the sea and the tides; sitting in thunderous waves. A dragon winds around his body. The big head of the animal rests gently on the scroll that Ry鹙in holds in his hands. The scroll could also indicate that it is not Ry鹙in; who is depicted here; but the famous Chinese painter Wu Daozi (Jap. Godoshi); who is regarded as the reincarnation of Chang-sang-yu. He is said to have once painted a dragon that came to life with the last brushstroke. This scene could be depicted here. Height figure 3.7cm; with pedestal 4.6cm. Condition A/B. Supplement: Figure of an immortal with crane and calabash. 18th/19th c. Bronze with residue of gilding. W.137g; h.7.8cm. Please note that this object is made of materials; for whose export into countries outside the EU contract area a permission due to Cites regulations is necessary. We point out that such a permission is usually not given.Art trade; Van Ham.